Building structure using interconnected panels

ABSTRACT

A building is assembled from an array of rectangular panels where the side edges are connected so that in the array each set of four panels meet at a junction location containing the corners of the panels to form an array of the junction locations. Each building panel is divided along a main axis into two separate triangular panel portions with channel shaped overlapping connecting members which form a beam of double thickness. Each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface covering the junction location with female channel shaped recesses receiving the marginal edges of the panels at the corner and a central recess receiving the beam. A corresponding male shaped inner cap is located under the junction and clamps to the outer cap to form a seal over the corner location.

This invention relates to a building structure using interconnectedpanels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pre-fabricated buildings or “knock-down buildings” have been developedfor many years and have many applications such as living quarters forpeople or animals, storage of equipment, temporary workshops, etc.

Some prior art buildings are made from sheet metal, particularly rustresistant steel or other sheet material. A building panel particularlyadapted for fabrication from sheet metal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,874,141 (Olson et al). The panels of the above patents derive theirstrength from the three-dimensional configuration of the plates, whichare generally a ribbed and folded symmetrical quadrilateral with meansfor connecting to adjacent similar panels along edges of the panels. Thepanels of this patent can be fabricated relatively easily from sheetsteel, and are lightweight and thus can be easily erected by relativelyunskilled labor at the building site.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,950 (Foster) issued Jan. 1, 1980 discloses abuilding panel of generally diamond shape which includes flange membersalong its edges, the flange members adapted to interlock with those ofan adjacent unit to construct a building structure for example a domestructure. The units are simple to manufacture and assemble to provideinexpensive domes and other structures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,471 (Stephens) issued Apr. 18, 1989 discloses agenerally quadrilateral-shaped building panel has a dihedral rootportion extending along a major axis which bisects a pair of oppositelydisposed corners. The panel has two similar triangular panel portionswhich extend from the root portion at a nominal dihedral angle to eachother when viewed along the major axis. The panel has margin portionsextending along each side edge thereof which can be secured to similarmargin portions of adjacent panels. Each triangular panel portion has acrowned central portion which is displaced laterally from a nominalplane containing the margin portions of two side edges of the respectivetriangular panel and the dihedral root portion. The crowned centralportion merges smoothly with adjacent margin portions and acts as anarch so that the panel is subjected mostly to compressive forces. Thispermits the use of fiber reinforced cement composite material as asubstitute for common metal sheets, which can tolerate and are usualunder tensile forces. One triangular panel is used adjacent an endportion of the building, and is effectively one-half of thequadrilateral panel cut along the major axis, i.e. along the dihedralroot portion, with a reinforcing flange substituted for the remainingpanel portion. Another triangular panel is used adjacent foundations ofthe building and is effectively one-half of the quadrilateral panel cutalong the minor axis. Again, a reinforcing flange is provided along theedge of the panel adjacent the minor axis, to form an outer edge of thepanel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide a building structure whichis formed from separate panels interconnected at corners.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a buildingstructure comprising:

a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of thebuilding panels;

each building panel having:

a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define agenerally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed firstcorners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;

the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at one of the first corners;

the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at the other of the first corners;

the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edgesintersecting at the first corners at equal first angles;

the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edgesintersecting at the second corners at equal second angles;

each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having arespective margin portion extending therealong;

the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be securedto, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly ofbuilding panels;

the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meetat a junction location containing a first corner of each of first andsecond of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of thirdand fourth of the four adjacent panels;

each building panel being divided along a main axis connecting the firstcorners into two separate panel portions each defining a respective oneof a cooperating pair of similar triangular panel portions which extendfrom the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the mainaxis;

each panel portion having a straight edge along the main axis with agenerally channel shaped connecting member integrally formed along thestraight edge;

the generally channel shaped connecting member of the edge of one panelportion of the pair being arranged to engage underneath the generallychannel shaped connecting member of the other of the pair;

such that when fastened thereto the engaged generally channel shapedconnecting members provide interconnection between the pair of panelportions at the main axis and provide a beam along the pair at the mainaxis defined by the interconnected generally channel shaped connectingmembers.

The arrangement as described in more detail hereinafter has theadvantages that:

The forming of the panels from two interconnected panel portions allowsthe formation of larger panels without making the portions themselvestoo difficult to handle in the wind or without requiring larger bendingequipment.

The presence of a separation line along the main longitudinal axisallows the formation of rectangular openings to create doors or windowssince the structure can be more easily separated along the main beamsdefined at the main axis.

The presence of the clamping system defined by the inner and outerclamping elements provides an increased structural strength, improvedsealing action and an easier assembly since there does not need to beany connection between the corners other than the connections betweenthe marginal edges and the connecting caps.

Preferably the engaged generally channel shaped connecting members arebolted together.

Preferably the engaged generally channel shaped connecting members formthe beam which stands upwardly from the panel positions at the mainaxis.

Preferably the margin portions include channel shaped connectingportions which engage one inside the other to form an exterior rib onthe panels.

Preferably the margin portions are arranged so as to define a series ofjunction locations at spaced positions across the assembly, wherein eachjunction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outsidesurface of the assembly covering the junction location and wherein theouter cover cap portion includes cover elements extending over the firstcorners and the second corners at the junction location and engagingonto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junctionlocation.

Preferably there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surfaceof the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and theinner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location.

Preferably the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raisedelements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the innercap portion cooperate with recessed portions of the outer cap coverportion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.

Preferably the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion arebolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first andsecond corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junctionlocation.

Preferably the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting thefirst, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

Preferably each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portionalong the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to therespective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein theouter cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receivethe raised rib portions.

Preferably the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessedportions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at thejunction location.

Preferably there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis ofeach panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channeltherein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first andsecond panels at the first corners thereof.

Preferably the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between thefirst corners of the first and second panels.

Preferably the first corners of the first and second panels areunconnected each to the other at the junction location such that theouter cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween.

Preferably the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plasticsmaterial. However it can also be formed from machined or cast aluminum.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided abuilding structure comprising:

a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of thebuilding panels;

each building panel having:

a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define agenerally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed firstcorners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;

the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at one of the first corners;

the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at the other of the first corners;

the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edgesmeeting at the first corners at equal first angles;

the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edgesmeeting at the second corners at equal second angles;

each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having arespective margin portion extending therealong;

each building panel defining a main axis connecting the first cornersand defining a junction between two triangular panel portions whichextend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed alongthe main axis;

the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be securedto, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly ofbuilding panels;

the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meetat a junction location containing a first corner of each of first andsecond of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of thirdand fourth of the four adjacent panels;

so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positionsacross the assembly;

each junction location including an outer cover cap portion on anoutside surface of the assembly covering the junction location;

the outer cover cap portion including cover elements extending over thefirst corners and the second corners at the junction location andengaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junctionlocation.

The panels used with the cover cap portion are preferably of the typeformed in two pieces joined along the center line to form the beam, butone piece panels can also be used with this cap.

It will be appreciated that a building formed by the above panels hasthe basic structure defined by the panels and their interconnectionsdefining a main array, but that sides and ends of the building willrequire part panels and part cover caps to be formed to terminate thearray at required locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a building according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view on an enlarged scale of the building of FIG.1 showing one cover cap of the building.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one top cover cap only of the building ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a bottom cap for cooperation with the topcover cap of the building of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bottom cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bottom cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3 on anenlarged scale and showing the top cover cap in place on the panels.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view along the lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of one panel only of the building of FIG. 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A building 10 is formed in a generally arch shaped structure over a pairof side frame beams 19 an 20 so that the building includes a bottom rail11 at the foundation beam 19 and a bottom rail 12 at the foundation beam20.

The structure is formed basically by a series of rectangular panelsgenerally indicated at 13. Each panel 13 is generally formed to define arectangular structure with a first side 14, a second side 15, a thirdside 16 and a fourth side 17. The first and second sides converge to acorner generally indicated at 18. The third and fourth sides converge toa corner generally indicated at 21. The first and third sides 14 and 16converge to a corner generally indicated at 22. The second and fourthsides converge to a corner generally indicated at 23. The panel issymmetrical about a longitudinal main axis 24 and is also symmetricalabout a transverse axis 24A.

In the arrangement of the present invention, the panel 13 is formed fromtwo separate triangular sections 13A and 13B which are joined along thecenter line 24. At the center line is defined a beam section 25 visiblein FIG. 2 where the beam section is defined by two channel members whichare arranged to overlie and thus form a double thickness beam structurealong the center of the rectangular panel formed by the connection ofthese two panel portions. The cross section of the panels at the beam 25is best shown in FIG. 11. In this figure the center line is indicated at24 and it will be noted that the panel includes two panel sheets 28 and29 which are arranged at an angle relative to each other at the centerline so as to extend upwardly and outwardly from the center line 24. Atthe connecting edge of each of the panel portions 13A and 13B, there isformed an inverted channel shaped element defined by three flangeportions 30, 31 and 32 arranged at an angle to each other with theflange portion 31 defining a base and the flange portions 30 and 32extending away from the base. Symmetrically the panel portion 13Bincludes flanges 30A, 31A and 32A which are shaped to matchsymmetrically the flange at the edge of the panel portion 13A so thatthese fit inside one another and thus form the double thickness channelwhich defines the beam 25.

One of the panel portions is shown in plan view in FIG. 12 where themain panel sheet 28 is generally triangular and the flanges 30, 31 and32 are connected along the long edge of the triangular panel extendingfrom the corner 18 at one end to the corner 21 at the opposite end. Thesheet 28 extends from the long side defined by the flange 30 to thefirst and third sides 14 and 16 of the panel structure. Each of thesesides 14 and 16 forms a marginal edge of the panel and each includes asimilar but smaller channel shape defined by flanges 34, 35 and 36.These flanges are shown in cross section in FIG. 10 where again theflanges define an inverted channel shape where the channel shape of onepanel is engaged with the channel shape at the marginal edge of the nextadjacent panel as indicated at the flanges 34, 35 and 36 which cooperatewith the flanges 34A, 35A and 36A of the next adjacent panel.

It will be noted that the angle in the planes of the sheets 28 and 29forms a structure where the exterior surface of the building is not in asmooth plane but instead is formed by a series of nodes at the cornersof the panels with straight lines between the nodes. The straight linesdefined by the beams 25 form a strong arch structure around the arch ofthe building which provides high structural stability.

At each junction between the corners there is provided a cover or capmember 30 which is defined by a top cover cap portion 31 on the outsidesurface and a bottom cap portion 32 on the inside surface. Thus it willbe noted that each node or corner location is defined by the conjunctionof the second corner 21 of one panel, the first corner 18 of a nextadjacent panel, the third corner 22 of a third panel and the fourthcorner 23 of a fourth panel.

As shown in FIG. 12, the panels portions 13A and 13B are shaped at thecorners 18, 21 and 22 such that the margin portions 14, 16 defined bythe flanges at the edge of the panel are recessed slightly from thecorner leaving an opening or open area at the end of the panel.

In assembly of the structure, the panels are brought together so as tobring the corners together in the conjunction described above. As shownin FIG. 9, the ends of the beams are spaced away from a central area atthe corner. Thus sides 14 and 16 of a first panel 13A come togetheradjacent the corner but terminate at ends 14A and 16A which are spacedapart. Symmetrically the sides 14 and 16 of a panel 13B come togetheradjacent the same corner and terminate at the ends 16B and 14B. Also atthe same corner location, the beams 25 along the center line of the twopanels joining at this location as indicated at 13C and 13D alsoterminate as indicated at 25A and 25B at positions spaced from thecenter of the corner structure. This therefore leaves an opening in thisarea which is covered by the cap member 30.

In the assembly of the structure, the four panels are brought togetherat the node or junction and are held in place by fastening the sideedges 14 and 15 to adjacent side edges of respective panels so that eachpanel is attached to four adjacent panels to form an array of the panelsextending over the structure. This assembly of the array takes placewithout the placement of the cap members 30 so that initially the wholestructure can be formed by simply connecting the margins 14, 15, 16 and17 to the respective panels leaving the holes defined above at thecorner locations or nodes.

After the assembly is so constructed, the corner locations or nodes arecovered by the cap members 30. Each cap member is formed of the twoparts defined by the upper or outer cover cap 31 and the bottom or innercap 32.

These two caps are clamped together in the open area of the corner bypassing screws or screw fasteners through aligned holes 35, 36, 37 and38 in the bottom cap 32 and holes 39, 40, 41 and 42 in the top-cover cap31. In the central open area within the location of the corner andbeyond the ends of the respective beams, the upper cap can clampdirectly to the lower cap since there is no panel structure in betweenthe two caps in this area.

The shape of the upper cover cap is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and itwill be noted that in the area of the center of the corner there isprovided a cross shaped element 42 which contains at its ends the holes39, 40, 41 and 42. The holes 39 and 41 are arranged in line with thebeams 25 of the center line of the panels. The holes 40 and 42 arelocated in line with the beams 14, 16 of the corners of the two adjacentpanels.

The upper cover cap 31 as best shown in FIG. 3 includes a centrallongitudinal channel 50 which receives the beams 25. The cap alsoincludes channels 51 and 52 which receive the convergence of the sides14 and 16 of the adjacent panels. As best shown in FIG. 4, the channels51 and 52 are angled so as to match the angles of the sides 14 and 16 asthey meet at the corner.

The upper and bottom caps are molded from a plastics material. The uppercap provides a bottom surface which matches the upper surface of thepanels at the corner location. Thus the cover cap sits on top of thepanels and has edges 51A at the channel 51, edges 52A at the channel 52and edges 50A at the channel 50 which engage onto the surface of thepanels and thus provide in effect a seal therewith. Thus there is aribbon sealing element between the tops and bottoms of the trapezoidalribs. In addition, as there will be gaps when the sheets deform toconform to the top and bottom caps, the cavity between these caps isfilled under pressure with sealant or foam.

Symmetrically, the bottom cap 32 as best shown in FIG. 6 has raised ribswhich correspond generally in shape to the channels of the upper cap.Thus the bottom cap has raised ribs 60 and 61 along the line of thecenter so as to engage up underneath the beam 25 formed by the overlyingchannel members.

Thus as shown in FIG. 11, the bottom cap 32 has a rib 60 which engagesunder the beam 25 and which extends into cooperation with the recess 50in the upper cap portion 31. In this way the beam 25 formed by theoverlying channel portions at the edges of the panel portions 13A and13B is clamped between the projections on the lower cap and the recessesin the upper cap to firmly clamp these elements together and to providea sealing effect on the top and bottom surfaces.

Similarly as shown in FIG. 6, the bottom cap includes ribs 62 and 63which cooperate with the channel 51 of the top cap together with ribs 64and 65 which cooperate with the channel 52 of the top cap. Again theseprojecting ribs and channels act to clamp between them the edge beamsdefined by the edges of the panels as they are overlapped and broughttogether.

The use of the cap members defined by the inner and outer cap portionsallows the structure to be assembled simply and easily by initiallyconnecting the channels merely by the marginal edges following which theopenings at the corners are then covered and made more structurallysound by the attachment of the caps.

It will be appreciated that the main body of the structure is defined bythe rectangular panels and the corner caps in the array described.However it is necessary along side edges and along the foundation beamsto provide panel portions which are of smaller extent that is they arecut into half pieces. Typically, rather than cut the large panels, thestructure is formed by providing the necessary smaller panel piecesspecially formed so as to provide the necessary edges which are shapedto co-operate with the required elements.

The formation of the individual rectangular panels in two separatepieces which are then clamped together to form the central beam providesincreased strength at the central beam. In addition this arrangementprovides straight lines at the beam where the building structure can beterminated either at the end of the building or for receivingrectangular openings for doors or windows.

The panels are typically formed from steel or other metal such asaluminium or other materials of a similar nature which have sufficientstrength and rigidity to provide the necessary structure. The formationof panels by cutting and bending sheet steel is particularly suitable.

The use of a panel structure which is defined by the two panel piecesconnected together at the central beam 25 allows the fabrication oflarger panels.

This is because conventional equipment is limited in size so thatforming two half panels and connecting them together allows themanufacture of a larger complete rectangular panel. In addition thetransportation and handling of the individual triangular panel pieces iseasier in the wind and easier in view of the weight than is the handlingof the complete rectangular panel if supplied in a single piece.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A building structure comprising: a plurality of building panelsarranged to form an assembly of the building panels; each building panelhaving: a periphery including four generally straight side edges whichdefine a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositelydisposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at one of the first corners; the panel having third andfourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the otherof the first corners; the first and second side edges and the third andfourth side edges intersecting at the first corners at equal firstangles; the first and third side edges and the second and fourth sideedges intersecting at the second corners at equal second angles; each ofthe first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respectivemargin portion extending therealong; the margin portions being adaptedto co-operate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions ofadjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels; the marginportions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at ajunction location containing a first corner of each of first and secondof the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third andfourth of the four adjacent panels; each building panel being dividedalong a main axis connecting the first corners into two separate panelportions each defining a respective one of a cooperating pair of similartriangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle toeach other when viewed along the main axis; each panel portion having astraight edge along the main axis with a connecting member integrallyformed along the straight edge; the connecting member of the edge of onepanel portion of the pair being arranged to engage underneath theconnecting member of the other of the pair so at least parts of theconnecting members overlap to form a double thickness; such that whenfastened thereto the engaged connecting members provide interconnectionbetween the pair of panel portions along the main axis and provide abeam along the pair at the main axis defined by the interconnectedoverlapping connecting members.
 2. The building structure according toclaim 1 wherein the engaged overlapping connecting members are boltedtogether.
 3. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein theengaged connecting members are generally channel shaped so as to formthe beam which stands upwardly from the panel portions at the main axis.4. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein the marginportions include overlapping connecting portions which engage one insidethe other to form an exterior rib on the panels.
 5. The buildingstructure according to claim 1 wherein the margin portions are arrangedso as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positionsacross the assembly, wherein each junction location includes an outercover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering thejunction location and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes coverelements extending over the first corners and the second corners at thejunction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourthpanels at the junction location.
 6. The building structure according toclaim 5 wherein there is provided an inner cap portion on an insidesurface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portionand the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junctionlocation.
 7. The building structure according to claim 6 wherein theinner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which arearranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portioncooperate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clampthe panels therebetween at the junction location.
 8. The buildingstructure according to claim 7 wherein the inner cap portion and theouter cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arrangedadjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panelstherebetween at the junction location.
 9. The building structureaccording to claim 6 wherein the outer cap portion includes sealingedges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at thejunction location.
 10. The building structure according to claim 5wherein each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion alongthe margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to therespective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein theouter cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receivethe raised rib portions.
 11. The building structure according to claim 5wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessedportions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at thejunction location.
 12. The building structure according to claim 5wherein there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis ofeach panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channeltherein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first andsecond panels at the first corners thereof.
 13. The building structureaccording to claim 12 wherein the outer cover cap portion forms aconnection between the first corners of the first and second panels. 14.The building structure according to claim 5 wherein the first corners ofthe first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at thejunction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridgeand connection therebetween.
 15. The building structure according toclaim 5 wherein the outer cover cap portion is formed from a moldedplastics material.
 16. A building structure comprising: a plurality ofbuilding panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;each building panel having: a periphery including four generallystraight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel havinga pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositelydisposed second corners; the panel having first and second side edgesinclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners; thepanel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other andintersecting at the other of the first corners; the first and secondside edges and the third and fourth side edges meeting at the firstcorners at equal first angles; the first and third side edges and thesecond and fourth side edges meeting at the second corners at equalsecond angles; each of the first, second, third and fourth side edgeshaving a respective margin portion extending therealong; each buildingpanel defining a main axis connecting the first corners and defining ajunction between two triangular panel portions which extend from themain axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis; themargin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be secured to,similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly ofbuilding panels; the margin portions being arranged such that fouradjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner ofeach of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second cornerof each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels; so as to definea series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly;each junction location including an outer cover cap portion on anoutside surface of the assembly covering the junction location; theouter cover cap portion including cover elements extending over thefirst corners and the second corners at the junction location andengaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junctionlocation.
 17. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein thereis provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assemblyarranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portionare fastened together at the junction location.
 18. The buildingstructure according to claim 17 wherein the inner cap portion includescooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that theraised elements of the inner cap portion co-operate with recessedportions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetweenat the junction location.
 19. The building structure according to claim17 wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion arebolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first andsecond corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junctionlocation.
 20. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein theouter cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second,third and fourth panels at the junction location.
 21. The buildingstructure according to claim 16 wherein each of the margin portionsincludes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which eachmargin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the nextadjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessedportions therein to receive the raised rib portions.
 22. The buildingstructure according to claim 16 wherein the outer cap portion includessealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second,third and fourth panels at the junction location.
 23. The buildingstructure according to claim 16 wherein there is provided a raised ribportion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer covercap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raisedrib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof.24. The building structure according to claim 17 wherein the outer covercap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the firstand second panels.
 25. The building structure according to claim 16wherein the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnectedeach to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover capportion forms a bridge and connection therebetween.
 26. The buildingstructure according to claim 16 wherein the outer cover cap portion isformed from a molded plastics material.